For Immediate Release

April 6, 2011

Wolfe, Paulson deliver “On Course” message at today’s Port Re:Port

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Port of Vancouver USA is on course delivering jobs and economic development in Southwest Washington, and that's the message that was delivered at today’s sold-out Port Re:Port.

The annual state of the port breakfast was held on Wednesday, April 6 from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay.

Speaking to a packed audience of more than 300, Executive Director Larry Paulson highlighted how port infrastructure investments are resulting in private-sector investment.  According to Paulson, “Our strategy began several years ago when we charted a course that included investments that would set up a chain of events that captured the attention of people and companies in the local, regional and global markets.”

At the core of the port’s efforts to attract new business and retain existing businesses is the $150 million West Vancouver Freight Access rail project, the largest capital investment in the port’s history.  “We needed to increase our rail capacity.  We needed to handle unit trains that are more than 100 rail cars long and unclog a bottleneck caused by trains coming into the port, stalling national rail lines to the west coast,” said Paulson.

Paulson also talked about strategic decisions to develop maritime and industrial property, including the port’s new terminal 5; as well as the port’s participation in the recently completed deepening of the Columbia River channel.  Paulson reported that “a deeper channel has already brought jobs, private investment and business to our regions” and noted private-sector investments being made at ports throughout the region.

Specific to developments occurring at the Port of Vancouver, the list of new businesses includes Farwest Steel, Inc.; Keyera Energy, Inc.; Country Malt; Pacific Coast Shredding; Sunlight Supply, Inc.; and BHP Billiton; as well as expansions at United Grain Corporation and Great Western Malting, Co.

“To give you some perspective on the significance of our growth from these projects, when all these new facilities are running at full capacity, Port of Vancouver cargo will triple from about 5 million tons to more than 15 million tons per year,” said Paulson.

Paulson also provided an overview of the port’s cargo numbers for 2010. 

Total tonnage increased by 18 percent over 2009, with 5.7 million metric tons crossing the docks in 2010. 

Imports increased by 16 percent overall, with the number of Subaru’s handled by the port increasing by 11 percent, while wind energy components decreased. Due to the wind energy industry’s difficulty in obtaining financing in 2010, only 25,000 metric tons of wind energy components moved through the port in comparison to over 100,000 metric tons in 2009.  Paulson explained that these financing issues are easing, and wind energy imports in 2011 will exceed the port’s best year, with 2012 looking even brighter.

Exports also grew, topping 2009 by 18 percent. Making up 85 percent of the port’s overall tonnage, 4.86 million metric tons of cargo was exported through the port in 2010.  Wheat, the port’s primary export, grew by 16 percent; copper concentrate exports increased by eight percent; and scrap metal exports increased an impressive 48 percent.

In opening comments, Commission President Brian Wolfe introduced the topic of how the port’s public sector investments are resulting in private sector development, and credited port staff and leadership, a committed Board of Commissioners and the support of the surrounding community as the reasons behind the port’s ability to move forward successfully, even in difficult economic times.

“With your help, all of you here today, the port’s investments are paying off, and we are on course delivering jobs and economic benefit to our community,” said Wolfe.  “I am honored to be a part of this remarkable voyage.”

Port Re:Port was taped for later cablecast by CVTV. The show will also be made available online at www.cvtv.org.

About the Port of Vancouver USA

The Port of Vancouver USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.

– POV –